Refusal

"Participate in the tournament?" Wu Ling murmured to himself.

"Though with my current strength, I wouldn't be afraid even if a Soul King came at me. With two Soul Kings and a few teammates who could pull their weight, I could still win. Against three Soul Kings, I could probably force a draw. But for now, the chances of even one Soul King appearing are low, and the possibility of multiple Soul Kings is practically zero. So it's a sure win—but what comes after that? What benefits would it bring me?"

After thinking for a moment, Wu Ling asked, "Teacher, could you tell me a little about our team and the other teams?"

Seeing how calm and unassuming Wu Ling was, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. Before doing anything, one had to understand the intelligence. Only by knowing oneself and one's enemy could one remain undefeated in every battle.

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament requires participants to be Spirit Masters under the age of twenty-five. However, most competitors are generally between fifteen and twenty years old.

"Those between twenty and twenty-five do exist, but only academies lacking promising younger talent would send them. When talent levels are similar, greater age means greater cultivation. If they win, they will be scorned for an unfair victory; if they lose, they will be humiliated across the entire continent.

"There are also participants younger than fifteen. For example, the second teams of Spirit Hall, Star Luo, and Heaven Dou usually send a few gifted but younger members to gain experience and lay the groundwork for their future official participation.

"Of course, Wu Ling, you would definitely be on our main team. You wouldn't need to fight your way up through the qualifiers.

"As for this year, Spirit Hall still has an all–Soul Ancestor team. There is one twenty-one-year-old student with decent talent; with some assistance, he might barely be able to advance to Soul King.

"Star Luo and Heaven Dou are the same as in previous years. They are led by the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, respectively. Each team has one support-type Soul Elder, while all the others are Soul Ancestors.

"Overall, unless something unexpected happens, Spirit Hall still has a very good chance of winning this year.

"As for why I wanted you to go, it's because your presence has been far too inconspicuous. Ever since you came to Spirit City, nearly ninety percent of your time has been spent cultivating at home. Even that remaining ten percent includes the time you spent hunting Spirit Rings and traveling home.

"While I know it is important to keep a low profile during the early stages of cultivation, Wu Ling, as my disciple, you do not need to fear that the tallest tree in the forest will be toppled by the wind. Showing your talent at the right time would benefit both you and me.

"Of course, that was only my previous thought. Since you obtained your third Spirit Ring, I have felt that it would not be bad for you to remain hidden a while longer. But since this concerns you, I came to ask your opinion.

"If you do not want to go, I will not force you. But if you do, I will need to make arrangements to transfer you to the main team."

After listening carefully to Bibi Dong's explanation, Wu Ling once again fell into recollection and deep thought.

In the original work, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was considered an early climax and the turning point into the middle portion of the story. Wu Ling had read it with great attention and Hot-Blooded excitement back then, and he still remembered some plot details. In particular, he vaguely recalled something Dai Mubai had said.

"I remember Dai Mubai saying in the original work that Spirit Hall won twice in the previous three tournaments, while the Star Luo Empire won once. According to Teacher, this should be one of Spirit Hall's two victories.

"In other words, the outcome would be the same whether I participated or not. At most, I would merely be adding flowers to brocade.

"But after that, my existence would be exposed to the major powers. As Bibi Dong said, as her disciple, I would not need to fear assassination or suppression, but it would still be troublesome.

"Trading the exposure of my identity for a victory that merely adds flowers to brocade—no matter how I look at it, it isn't worth it."

In the end, after careful deliberation, Wu Ling decided to refuse this tournament.

"Forget it, Teacher. Next time. I'll participate when I'm fifteen. With the clone's help, five years will be enough for me to cultivate to Soul King.

"By then, I'll make my appearance as a fifteen-year-old Soul King. That would bring some glory to you too, Teacher, wouldn't it?" Wu Ling said with a radiant smile. To others, he looked as though he had already seen the scene of himself bringing honor to his teacher.

Looking at this disciple who considered her at every turn, Bibi Dong's heart was moved. Her gaze gradually softened.

"Forget about a fifteen-year-old Soul King. Your current status as a ten-year-old Soul Elder is already shocking enough. But if you do not want to go, then don't. With your current strength and combat ability, it would not serve much purpose besides letting you experience the atmosphere. When the time comes, I'll take you there to watch directly."

Hearing Bibi Dong's promise, Wu Ling stood and bowed deeply to her. "Thank you, Teacher."

Although Wu Ling did not particularly care whether he watched it in person, the proper formalities still had to be observed.

Bibi Dong pressed her hand down, signaling Wu Ling to sit, then began speaking of the second matter.

"There is one more thing—your premonition. Are you interested in making a trip there yourself?

"There is one week until this year's Martial Soul Awakening. Because of your premonition, I specifically altered this year's awakening plan. The awakenings will begin one day earlier than usual, and on that day, only orphans will undergo awakening."

Wu Ling was immediately stunned upon hearing this. Spirit Hall was responsible for nearly eighty to ninety percent of Martial Soul Awakenings across the entire continent. Aside from the major clans and powers, even small villages like Xingyue Village had someone assigned to awaken Martial Souls. It was only one day earlier, but the manpower and resources involved were by no means insignificant.

What moved Wu Ling even more was that Bibi Dong had specifically changed the plan because of his inexplicable premonition. Though there was also a desire for someone with Innate Full Soul Power in the food system, that degree of attention and trust alone deeply moved him.

"Teacher, won't the elders oppose such a sudden change in plans?" Amid his surprise and delight, Wu Ling asked the question that puzzled him. Spirit Hall was not a place where the Pope alone had the final say; the elders existed to check and balance the Pope.

"Initially, there was some resistance from the ordinary elders. But once they heard that you were the reason for it, they either abstained or agreed. As for the worship hall, perhaps because of that old fellow, they all agreed without even asking about it.

"Honestly, when I learned about this, I was rather surprised myself. Perhaps in the current Spirit Hall, your words carry more weight than mine." Bibi Dong made a rare joke. Even she had not expected that the key factor behind Spirit Hall's first unanimous approval of such a matter would be Wu Ling, a mere little Soul Elder.